The charges were dismissed, but questions were raised about freedom of speech.

“Under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, journalists were afraid to criticize the regime because it was so powerful … which thus led to the limitation of freedom of speech in the country,” Osama Saraya, former editor-in-chief of the state-run newspaper Al-Ahram, told Al Arabiya News.

Youssef was undeterred by his arrest, mocking Morsi again the next time he went on air.

The case led the United States to express “real concerns” about the direction being taken by the then-government, Agence France Press reported.

“Without Bassem and all those journalists and bloggers and brave protesters who took to Tahrir Square to voice dissent, you, President Mursi, wouldn’t have been in a position to repress them,” said the American comedian.

After a four-month hiatus following the holy month of Ramadan and the removal of Morsi, “al-Bernameg” made its comeback in Oct. 2013.

“There should be no red lines, but some boundaries that no journalist should cross, no matter who is ruling the country,” Abu Kayla said. “Youssef was crossing the line … He misunderstood the principles of freedom of speech.”

Others, who saw the incident as a step back for free speech in Egypt, called for a boycott of CBC, the Associated Press reported.

Youssef is not the only media figure to face censorship in Egypt since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.

Prominent talk-show host Reem Magued’s program “Baladna bel Masry” was taken off-air in July after she chanted “down with the military rule” while being interviewed for another show.

Hussein said: “The problem with the media in Egypt now is, it’s either you’re with us or against us. No other opinion is accepted.”

He added: “Stopping a program or a presenter just because they don’t respect the direction the channel follows isn’t right. The right thing would be an opinion and the other opinion. That’s how the media should be.”

Saraya said: “The state of the media in Egypt has changed since Mubarak stepped down … but journalists have to remain far from the army as they’re protected by history. No one should even think of challenging the Egyptian army.”

There are rumors that Youssef and his show will be back on air in February on German TV channel Deutsche Welle, his father told the Egyptian daily news website Al-Ahram.